Controller

Abstract

To provide a controller capable of preventing a user from feeling discomfort caused by a change in battery capacity accompanying an update of a degradation coefficient of a battery mounted on a vehicle.SOLUTION: A server 100 includes a processor 10 for updating the degradation coefficient of a power storage device 120 and a communication unit 30. When the update of the degradation coefficient causes an increase in an estimated value of the capacity of the power storage device 120, the communication unit 30 executes a notification process for notifying a user that the degradation coefficient is to be updated, and the processor 10 updates the degradation coefficient. When the update of the degradation coefficient causes the estimated value to decrease, the communication unit 30 does not execute the notification process, and the processor 10 gradually changes the degradation coefficient to update it.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control device. [Background technology]

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2020-065423 (Patent Document 1) discloses a vehicle equipped with a display unit that displays a display value corresponding to the deterioration state of a battery. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-065423 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Although not described in Patent Document 1, a battery degradation coefficient may be used to estimate the degradation state (capacity) of the battery. This degradation coefficient may be updated as necessary, and in such cases, the estimated value of the battery capacity changes as the battery degradation coefficient is updated. A vehicle user may feel uncomfortable when the battery capacity suddenly changes.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a control device that can prevent users from feeling uncomfortable about changes in battery capacity that occur due to updates to the deterioration coefficient of a battery installed in a vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A control device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a control device that updates a deterioration coefficient of a battery used to calculate an estimated value of the capacity of a battery mounted on a vehicle, and includes an update unit that updates the deterioration coefficient and a notification unit. At least one of the estimated value and the battery capacity maintenance rate based on the estimated value is notified to a user of the vehicle by an alarm device. In a first case in which the estimated value increases as a result of updating the deterioration coefficient, the notification unit executes a notification process to notify the user that the deterioration coefficient will be updated, and the update unit updates the deterioration coefficient. In a second case in which the estimated value decreases as a result of updating the deterioration coefficient, the notification unit does not execute the notification process, and the update unit gradually changes the deterioration coefficient to update the deterioration coefficient.

[0007] In a control device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, in a first case in which the estimated value increases as a result of updating the degradation coefficient, the notification unit executes a notification process to notify the user that the degradation coefficient will be updated, and the update unit updates the degradation coefficient. This allows the user to obtain information indicating that the degradation coefficient will be updated, thereby preventing the user from feeling uncomfortable even if the estimated value of capacity changes as the degradation coefficient is updated. Furthermore, in a second case in which the estimated value of capacity decreases as a result of updating the degradation coefficient, the notification unit does not execute the notification process, and the update unit gradually changes the degradation coefficient to update the degradation coefficient. This allows the estimated value of capacity to be gradually changed by gradually changing the degradation coefficient. As a result, it becomes difficult for the user to recognize that the estimated value is decreasing, thereby preventing the user from feeling uncomfortable about the change in the estimated value of capacity.

[0008] In the first case, the update unit may update the degradation coefficient after the notification unit executes the notification process. With this configuration, the user can know in advance that the estimated value of capacity will change before the estimated value of capacity changes due to the update of the degradation coefficient. As a result, it is possible to further reduce the user's discomfort caused by the change in the estimated value of capacity.

[0009] In the second case, the update unit may gradually change the degradation coefficient by changing it step by step. With this configuration, the degradation coefficient can be updated by performing the processing by the update unit step by step (intermittently) rather than continuously. As a result, the processing load on the update unit can be reduced compared to when the processing by the update unit is performed continuously.

[0010] In the second case, the update unit may gradually change the degradation coefficient to update it when the amount of decrease in the estimated value due to the update of the degradation coefficient is greater than a threshold, and may update the degradation coefficient without gradually changing it when the amount of decrease is equal to or less than the threshold. With this configuration, the degradation coefficient can be changed relatively gradually when the amount of decrease in capacity is relatively large and is relatively likely to cause the user to feel uncomfortable, and the degradation coefficient can be changed relatively quickly when the amount of decrease in capacity is relatively small and is relatively unlikely to cause the user to feel uncomfortable.

[0011] The notification device may include a display terminal. In the first case, the notification unit may perform notification processing so that information indicating that the degradation coefficient will be updated is displayed on the display terminal. With this configuration, the number of terminals required by the user can be reduced compared to when a terminal that displays the information indicating that the degradation coefficient will be updated is required separately from the display terminal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent a user from feeling uncomfortable about a change in the capacity of a battery mounted on a vehicle that accompanies an update of the deterioration coefficient of the battery. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a system including an electric vehicle and a server according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a display screen of a car navigation device for an electric vehicle according to an embodiment. [Figure 3]FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating control in a system according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display screen of the car navigation device in step S12 of FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing changes in the deterioration coefficient in step S6 of FIG. 3. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a change in the deterioration coefficient in step S7 of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a change in the deterioration coefficient according to a modified example of an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated.

[0015] <System configuration> 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a system 1 including a server 100 and an electric vehicle 200 according to this embodiment. The server 100 and the electric vehicle 200 are examples of the "control device" and the "vehicle" of the present disclosure, respectively.

[0016] Electric vehicle 200 is, for example, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), a battery electric vehicle (BEV), or a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV).

[0017] Electric vehicle 200 includes ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 110, power storage device 120, car navigation device 130, and DCM (Data Communication Module) 140. Power storage device 120 is an example of a "battery" in the present disclosure. Car navigation device 130 is an example of a "notification device" and a "display terminal" in the present disclosure.

[0018] The ECU 110 executes various processes related to vehicle control. For example, the ECU 110 performs a process of estimating the capacity of the power storage device 120 using a degradation coefficient of the power storage device 120. The degradation coefficient is stored in a memory (not shown) of the ECU 110. In this specification, the estimated value of the capacity of the power storage device 120 is simply referred to as "battery capacity." The battery capacity means the amount of electricity when fully charged.

[0019] The deterioration coefficient stored in ECU 110 is updated by server 100. Specifically, the deterioration coefficient stored in ECU 110 is rewritten based on information about the updated deterioration coefficient transmitted from server 100 to electric vehicle 200 by OTA (Over The Air). As a result, the change in the deterioration coefficient in server 100 is reflected in the deterioration coefficient stored in ECU 110. ECU 110 may calculate an estimated value of a capacity maintenance rate of power storage device 120 (hereinafter simply referred to as "capacity maintenance rate") based on the estimated battery capacity. Note that the capacity maintenance rate means the ratio of the current battery capacity to the battery capacity at the time of manufacture.

[0020] The power storage device 120 stores electric power for driving the electric vehicle 200. The power storage device 120 houses a plurality of power storage cells. The power storage cells are secondary batteries, typically lithium-ion secondary batteries. Lithium-ion secondary batteries are batteries that use lithium as a charge carrier, and may include not only lithium-ion secondary batteries with a liquid electrolyte, but also all-solid-state batteries that use a solid electrolyte. Note that the power storage cells are not limited to lithium-ion secondary batteries, and may be constituted by nickel-metal hydride secondary batteries or other secondary batteries.

[0021] 2, car navigation device 130 displays the battery capacity and the capacity maintenance rate. Note that car navigation device 130 may display only one of the battery capacity and the capacity maintenance rate.

[0022] 1, DCM 140 is configured to be able to communicate with server 100 (communication unit 30, described below). This allows electric vehicle 200 to obtain various information (for example, updated information on the deterioration coefficient) from server 100 via DCM 140.

[0023] The server 100 includes a processor 10, a memory 20, and a communication unit 30. The processor 10 controls the communication unit 30. The memory 20 stores programs executed by the processor 10 as well as information used in the programs (for example, maps, formulas, and various parameters). The processor 10 and the communication unit 30 are examples of an "update unit" and a "notification unit" of the present disclosure, respectively.

[0024] The communication unit 30 is configured to be able to communicate with the DCM 140 of the electric vehicle 200. The communication unit 30 may also be able to communicate with an external server (not shown) or the like via the Internet.

[0025] The processor 10 executes processing for updating the deterioration coefficient stored in the ECU 110 of the electric vehicle 200. The processor 10 also determines whether or not it is necessary to update the deterioration coefficient based on information received by the communication unit 30. When it is determined that it is necessary to update the deterioration coefficient, the processor 10 executes processing for updating the deterioration coefficient.

[0026] Circumstances in which the deterioration coefficient needs to be updated include, for example, when it is found that the deterioration coefficient corresponding to the storage device 120 needs to be corrected because the storage cells of the storage device 120 are the lowest (or highest) product in the lot, or when it is found that the deterioration coefficient corresponding to the storage device 120 needs to be corrected because various programs (software) related to the calculation of the deterioration coefficient have been updated.

[0027] The server 100 (processor 10) executes the process of updating the deterioration coefficient when the electric vehicle 200 is stopped (when the stopping time is predicted to be, for example, 30 minutes or more).

[0028] Here, since the battery capacity changes as the deterioration coefficient is updated, the user of the electric vehicle 200 may feel uncomfortable with the sudden change in battery capacity.

[0029] Therefore, in this embodiment, when the battery capacity increases as a result of updating the degradation coefficient, the communication unit 30 executes a notification process to notify the user that the degradation coefficient will be updated, and the processor 10 updates the degradation coefficient. This allows the user to recognize that the battery capacity (capacity maintenance rate) has changed as the degradation coefficient has been updated, making it possible to prevent the user from feeling uncomfortable about the change in the battery capacity (capacity maintenance rate).

[0030] Furthermore, if the battery capacity decreases due to the update of the deterioration coefficient, the communication unit 30 does not execute the notification process, and the processor 10 gradually changes the deterioration coefficient to update it. This allows the battery capacity (capacity maintenance rate) to gradually decrease in accordance with the gradual change of the deterioration coefficient, making it difficult for the user to recognize that the battery capacity (capacity maintenance rate) has decreased. As a result, it is possible to prevent the user from feeling uncomfortable about the change in the battery capacity (capacity maintenance rate).

[0031] <Server and electric vehicle sequence control> Fig. 3 shows a sequence diagram of control by server 100 and electric vehicle 200. The sequence shown in Fig. 3 may be executed (started) at predetermined intervals (for example, every 10 minutes).

[0032] In step S1, the server 100 (processor 10) determines whether or not it is necessary to update the deterioration coefficient of the power storage device 120. If it is determined that it is necessary to update the deterioration coefficient (Yes in S1), the process proceeds to step S2. If it is determined that it is not necessary to update the deterioration coefficient (No in S1), the process ends.

[0033] In step S2, the server 100 (processor 10) determines whether the battery capacity will increase as a result of updating the deterioration coefficient. Specifically, the server 100 determines whether the battery capacity calculated using the updated deterioration coefficient is greater than the battery capacity calculated using the deterioration coefficient before the update. If the battery capacity will increase (Yes in S2), the process proceeds to step S3. If the battery capacity will not increase (No in S2), the process proceeds to step S4.

[0034] In step S3, server 100 (communication unit 30) executes notification processing for notifying the user that the deterioration coefficient will be updated. Specifically, communication unit 30 transmits information indicating that the deterioration coefficient will be updated to DCM 140 (FIG. 1) of electric vehicle 200. Next, the processing proceeds to step S6.

[0035] In step S4, the server 100 (processor 10) determines whether the battery capacity will decrease due to the update of the deterioration coefficient. Specifically, the server 100 determines whether the battery capacity calculated using the updated deterioration coefficient is smaller than the battery capacity calculated using the deterioration coefficient before the update. If the battery capacity will decrease (Yes in S4), the process proceeds to step S5. If the battery capacity will not decrease (i.e., the battery capacity does not change) (No in S4), the process proceeds to step S6.

[0036] In step S5, the server 100 (processor 10) determines whether the amount of decrease in battery capacity due to the update of the degradation coefficient is greater than a predetermined threshold A. The threshold A may be a fixed value, or may be a predetermined percentage (e.g., 10%) of the current (pre-update) battery capacity. If the amount of decrease in battery capacity is greater than the threshold A (Yes in S5), the process proceeds to step S7. If the amount of decrease in battery capacity is equal to or less than the threshold A (No in S5), the process proceeds to step S6. Note that the threshold A is an example of the "threshold" in the present disclosure.

[0037] In step S6, processor 10 executes a process for updating the deterioration coefficient. As a result, the deterioration coefficient stored in a memory (not shown) of ECU 110 (FIG. 1) is updated (rewritten) by OTA via communication unit 30 and DCM 140. Thereafter, the process ends.

[0038] In step S7, processor 10 executes a process of gradually changing (gradually changing) the deterioration coefficient to update the deterioration coefficient. As a result, the deterioration coefficient stored in electric vehicle 200 is gradually changed. In step S7, as in step S6, an update process of the deterioration coefficient by OTA is executed. Thereafter, the process ends.

[0039] In step S11, electric vehicle 200 (ECU 110) determines whether DCM 140 has received a notification to update the deterioration coefficient (the notification of S3). If the notification has been received (Yes in S11), the process proceeds to step S12. If the notification has not been received (No in S11), the process proceeds to step S13.

[0040] In step S12, electric vehicle 200 (ECU 110) causes car navigation device 130 (FIG. 1) to display information indicating that the deterioration coefficient is to be updated.

[0041] In step S13, electric vehicle 200 (ECU 110) determines whether the deterioration coefficient has been updated (changed). If the deterioration coefficient has been updated (changed) (Yes in S13), the process proceeds to step S14. If the deterioration coefficient has not been updated (changed) (No in S13), the process ends.

[0042] In step S14, the electric vehicle 200 (ECU 110) calculates the battery capacity and the capacity maintenance rate using the updated (changed) deterioration coefficient.

[0043] In step S15, electric vehicle 200 (ECU 110) causes car navigation device 130 to display the battery capacity and capacity maintenance rate calculated in step S14.

[0044] In step S16, electric vehicle 200 (ECU 110) determines whether or not updating of the deterioration coefficient has been completed. If updating of the deterioration coefficient has not been completed, this is the case when the deterioration coefficient is scheduled to be further changed in step S7. For example, electric vehicle 200 may determine that updating of the deterioration coefficient has been completed based on the fact that the deterioration coefficient has not changed for a predetermined time (e.g., 30 minutes) or more. If it is determined that updating of the deterioration coefficient has been completed (Yes in S16), the processing ends. If it is determined that updating of the deterioration coefficient has not been completed (No in S16), the processing returns to step S14. Note that the method of determining whether updating of the deterioration coefficient has been completed is not limited to the above example.

[0045] 4 is a diagram showing an example of the display screen of the car navigation device 130 in step S12. A message 131 stating "Deterioration status will be updated" is displayed on the car navigation device 130. This notifies the user that the deterioration coefficient will be updated.

[0046] 5 is a diagram showing how the deterioration coefficient changes due to the update of the deterioration coefficient in step S6. In step S6, the deterioration coefficient changes instantaneously from the value before the update starts to the value after the update is completed. In other words, the deterioration coefficient is changed to the value after the update is completed by adding a predetermined value ΔVa to the value before the update starts (deterioration coefficient after the update is completed = deterioration coefficient before the update starts + ΔVa). That is, in the update process of step S6, the value of the deterioration coefficient changes once. Note that this embodiment will not mention the magnitude relationship between the deterioration coefficient before the update is completed and the deterioration coefficient after the update is completed.

[0047] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing how the deterioration coefficient changes due to the update of the deterioration coefficient in step S7. In step S7, the deterioration coefficient changes in stages, changing from a value before the start of the update to a value after the update is completed. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the deterioration coefficient changes in four stages. In this case, the deterioration coefficient changes by, for example, ΔVa / 4 per stage (amount of change in one stage ΔVs=ΔVa / 4). Note that the number of times (number of stages) the deterioration coefficient changes in step S7 is not limited to four. Note that changing the deterioration coefficient in stages is an example of "gradually changing the deterioration coefficient" in the present disclosure.

[0048] In step S7, the deterioration coefficient changes every ΔT (for example, 30 minutes). Therefore, it takes 3×ΔT for the deterioration coefficient to change from the deterioration coefficient before the update starts to the deterioration coefficient after the update is completed. Note that the value of ΔT is not limited to the above example.

[0049] At least one of the number of changes (number of stages) of the degradation coefficient, ΔVs, and ΔT may be a preset fixed value. Also, at least one of the above may be changed according to a predetermined condition. For example, at least one of the above may be variable based on the magnitude of ΔVa and the magnitude of the degradation coefficient before the update starts (or after the update is completed), etc.

[0050] As described above, in this embodiment, when the battery capacity increases as a result of updating the degradation coefficient, the communication unit 30 executes a notification process to notify the user that the degradation coefficient will be updated, and the processor 10 updates the degradation coefficient, thereby enabling the user to recognize that the battery capacity has increased as the degradation coefficient has been updated.

[0051] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the battery capacity decreases due to the update of the deterioration coefficient, the communication unit 30 does not execute the notification process, and the processor 10 gradually changes the deterioration coefficient to update the deterioration coefficient. This makes it possible to prevent the user from recognizing (noticing) that the battery capacity is decreasing. Therefore, the battery capacity can be decreased without causing the user to feel uncomfortable.

[0052] These measures can prevent the user from feeling uncomfortable about the change in battery capacity that accompanies the update of the deterioration coefficient.

[0053] In the above embodiment, an example has been shown in which the degradation coefficient is changed stepwise when the battery capacity decreases due to the update of the degradation coefficient, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The degradation coefficient may also change continuously. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 7, when the battery capacity decreases due to the update of the degradation coefficient, the degradation coefficient changes linearly from the value before the update starts to the value after the update is completed. Note that the degradation coefficient may not change linearly, but may change, for example, quadratically. Note that a continuous change of the degradation coefficient is an example of "gradually changing the degradation coefficient" in the present disclosure.

[0054] In the above embodiment, an example has been shown in which the degradation coefficient is updated after the user is notified that the degradation coefficient will be updated, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The degradation coefficient may be updated simultaneously with or before the user is notified.

[0055] In the above embodiment, when the battery capacity increases due to the update of the degradation coefficient, the degradation coefficient is instantaneously changed (in one change) to the value after the update is completed, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. Even when the battery capacity increases due to the update of the degradation coefficient, the degradation coefficient may be gradually changed, similar to when the battery capacity decreases.

[0056] In the above embodiment, an example is shown in which the degradation coefficient is not gradually changed when the amount of decrease in battery capacity due to the update of the degradation coefficient is equal to or less than the threshold A, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The degradation coefficient may be gradually changed regardless of the amount of decrease in battery capacity due to the update of the degradation coefficient.

[0057] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the battery capacity and the capacity maintenance rate are displayed on the car navigation device 130, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The battery capacity and the capacity maintenance rate may be displayed on a user's terminal (such as a smartphone or PC). Information indicating that the degradation coefficient will be updated may also be displayed on the user's terminal. Information indicating that the battery capacity, the capacity maintenance rate, and the degradation coefficient will be updated may also be announced by voice.

[0058] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the battery capacity, the capacity maintenance rate, and the information indicating that the degradation coefficient will be updated are displayed on the same car navigation device 130, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The battery capacity, the capacity maintenance rate, and the information indicating that the degradation coefficient will be updated may be displayed on different display terminals (for example, a car navigation device and a smartphone).

[0059] In the above embodiment, an example has been shown in which information on the deterioration coefficient gradually changed in server 100 is reflected in the deterioration coefficient stored in ECU 110 of electric vehicle 200, thereby gradually changing the deterioration coefficient stored in ECU 110 of electric vehicle 200, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, an ECU (processor) of the vehicle that acquires information on the deterioration coefficient after update completion from the server may gradually change the deterioration coefficient stored in the memory of the ECU. In this case, the ECU of the vehicle is an example of a "control device" of the present disclosure.

[0060] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the degradation coefficient is updated over the air (OTA), but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the degradation coefficient may be updated by wire at a dealer or the like.

[0061] In the above embodiment, an example is shown in which the degradation coefficient is updated even when the battery capacity does not change as a result of updating the degradation coefficient, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. In this case, the degradation coefficient does not need to be updated.

[0062] In the above embodiment, an example has been shown in which the battery capacity and capacity maintenance rate calculated in the electric vehicle 200 are displayed on the car navigation device 130, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The battery capacity and capacity maintenance rate calculated in the server 100 may be displayed on the car navigation device 130 as they are.

[0063] In the above embodiment, an example has been shown in which the deterioration coefficient stored in ECU 110 of electric vehicle 200 is updated by transmitting information on the updated deterioration coefficient to electric vehicle 200, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the deterioration coefficient stored in the ECU of the vehicle may be updated by transmitting an update program for calculating the deterioration coefficient from a server to the vehicle.

[0064] The configurations (processing) of the above-described embodiment and the above-described modifications may be combined with each other.

[0065] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not by the description of the above embodiments, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1 system, 10 processor (update unit), 30 communication unit (notification unit), 100 server (control device), 110 ECU, 120 power storage device (battery), 130 car navigation device (alert device) (display terminal), 200 electric vehicle (vehicle).

Claims

1. A control device that updates a deterioration coefficient of a battery mounted on a vehicle, the deterioration coefficient being used to calculate an estimated value of the capacity of the battery, an updating unit that updates the deterioration coefficient; a notification unit, at least one of the estimated value and the capacity maintenance rate of the battery based on the estimated value is notified to a user of the vehicle by a notification device; In a first case where the estimated value increases due to updating the degradation coefficient, the notification unit executes a notification process for notifying the user that the degradation coefficient will be updated; the updating unit updates the deterioration coefficient; In a second case where the estimated value decreases due to updating the degradation coefficient, The notification unit does not execute the notification process, The update unit updates the deterioration coefficient by gradually changing the deterioration coefficient.

2. The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the update unit updates the deterioration coefficient after the notification process is executed by the notification unit in the first case.

3. The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the update unit gradually changes the deterioration coefficient by changing the deterioration coefficient in stages in the second case.

4. In the second case, the update unit: When an amount of decrease in the estimated value due to the update of the degradation coefficient is greater than a threshold, the degradation coefficient is gradually changed to update the degradation coefficient; The control device according to claim 1 , wherein when the amount of decrease is equal to or less than the threshold value, the deterioration coefficient is updated without gradually changing the deterioration coefficient.

5. the notification device includes a display terminal, The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the notification unit performs the notification process in the first case so that information indicating that the deterioration coefficient will be updated is displayed on the display terminal.

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